America is entering into
a most dangerous time in its history as this society and its people react to
and try to cope with the specter of fear that is rapidly spreading across this
nation.

For many years Americans
have listened to the incessant beat of the drums of war. Now we hear the drums
of fear sounding across this country as those who advance its agenda plant the
seeds of apprehension and anxiety into the American psyche.

- Advertisement -

Donald Trump, candidate
for president, has assumed the role of Chief Architect of this agenda of fear.
He has become the messenger of fear, hatred and dissension. He uses that
message to appeal to the increasing number of Americans who have been mentally conditioned
by this government's War on Terror to live in fear of a potential foreign
terrorist threat.

Decades ago the people
of America heard President Franklin Delano Roosevelt declare, "The only thing
we have to fear is...fear itself -- nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror
which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."

- Advertisement -

Then, after 9/11, G.W.
Bush instilled fear into their hearts when he said, "Be afraid, be very
afraid." And now we have President Obama constantly talking about ISIS and the
direct threat it poses to America. Why isn't our president, instead, echoing
the words of FDR whose message inspired Americans to refuse to cave in to fear?

Trump has taken fear
mongering to a new, higher level as he targets Americans who are angry and
frustrated about what is happening in this country and how it is adversely
affecting their lives. He knows they are very troubled and have great concerns about
the future. He knows how to tap in that condition and reap the benefits.

He is using ISIS as his
bogeyman and connecting its treacherous agenda and ideology to Muslims in
general and, specifically, to those who live in America. He is painting all
Muslims with the same brush and far too many Americans are buying into his
twisted, demented message.

- Advertisement -

Trump reminds me of the
late Senator Joseph McCarthy who used his position in the U.S. Senate to spread
fear throughout America as he accused numerous Americans of being communists and/or
their sympathizers; his fabricated warnings made Americans think that there was
a communist, a soviet spy or a sympathizer hiding behind every bush. Trump is
taking part of his strategy directly from McCarthy's playbook.

Michael Payne is an independent, progressive activist. His writings deal with social, economic, political and foreign policy issues. He is a featured writer on Opednews and Nation of Change and his articles have appeared on many other websites (more...)